Omani Vendor Arranging Dates on Boat at Midnight

Amber and mahogany dates rest in woven baskets and wooden trays on the narrow deck of a wooden boat. An Omani vendor in a white dishdasha adjusts the piles under the yellow spill of distant street lamps. Heavy gray clouds press low above the water, where the hull reflects the dim orange light. Layers of other boats and market stalls fade into the shadowy distance, creating deep spatial recession. The wood of the boat shows wear and grain texture against the smooth, sticky surfaces of the fruit. A wet rope hangs loosely from the bow, glistening faintly in the artificial glow.